What to bring from Loutraki, Greece. What you can bring from Greece - pack pieces of the Mediterranean sun into your suitcase. A good gift - national Greek sweets

Since the time of the ancient gods, Greece has been famous for its wines. And although we are now more familiar with drinks from Italy, France, Spain and the New World, Greece is no worse - here Can buy such autochthonous wines (wines of certain grape varieties growing in a particular region) as Assyrtiko and Athiri, Lagorti and Savatiano, Roditis and Robola. Sounds unfamiliar, but give it a try bring Definitely worth it for friends. You can buy a couple of bottles in local supermarkets or tourist shops. On average, a bottle of wine will cost 4-8€ .

Don't forget to bring cheese with your wine. The most famous is the hero of salads and cheese plates - feta. This soft, salty cheese is sold in Russia in a modified form, completely different from the original. It is also worth paying attention to manouri or kefalotyri - cheeses made from sheep's milk, caseri (more of a hard variety) or graviera (made from a mixture of sheep, cow and goat milk).

We also advise you to get acquainted with raki - Greek vodka, the strength of which reaches 60 degrees (for comparison: in Italian vodka - up to 55 degrees, in Russian - up to 56). Raki is produced in Crete, but to find it possible throughout Greece , in the same supermarkets and tourist shops. Average cost per bottle - from 10€. There is also ouzo - this is an aniseed brandy, it can be light (20 degrees) and for the strong-willed (40 degrees). Such gifts from Greece ideal for establishing contact with a stern boss.

Cosmetics

The goddess of beauty Aphrodite - for self-love and natural cosmetics based on olive oil, honey and other gifts from Greece. Here, at every step, there are shops with organic cosmetics, which you can bring as a souvenir from Greece to friends and family. Among the famous brands - Apivita (shampoo €12.80), Aphrodite (cream body butter 14.90 €), Fresh Line (moisturizing night cream 28 €).

Olive soap and natural oils included in its composition. Photo: Jelena Yukka/Shutterstock

Colleagues will get by with inexpensive creams from a souvenir shop, but beloved friends can buy world-famous Greek brand cosmetics Korres (hair conditioner €14.30). It can be found in shopping centers Hondos (these stores specialize in cosmetics, perfumes and clothing for women), any Greek pharmacy or duty free.

Tea, honey and sweets

To a troubled colleague from Greece can be brought mountain herbal tea. It grows on rocks, has a mild taste, and is also very good for health and nerves. The most famous is the Cretan mountain tea Malotira (Malotira). You can buy it in any store, you don’t have to go to tourist shops. You will like this gift dear grandmother or yourself - mountain tea from Greece Great for coping with stress and improving sleep.

If it seems that one tea is not enough, Can complement the gift with sweets. Greek delight (from 5 €) sold in any grocery store. It is made from starch and sugar and comes in many different flavors, such as nuts and various syrups. This you can bring a gift and friends with a sweet tooth. In addition to Turkish delight, there is also Loukoumades (from 2.5€ ) - yeast dough balls sprinkled with honey - buy them better just before the return flight, otherwise they will harden.

Greece occupies a leading position on the world stage in terms of the number of hives per square meter. Spruce, pine and the most expensive - thyme - buy honey better all from beekeepers. So you will definitely be sure What it has not been chemically treated. This honey is sold in specialized stores and shops, for example, in Athens at: 39 Athinas Street and 1, Sofokleous. Ideal gift for those with a sweet tooth, friends and colleagues.

Shoes

If there was a fashionista on Olympus, he would constantly wear Greek leather sandals. Be sure of their quality: in Greece, shoe production has been going on for generations, paying attention to every detail.

Traditional Greek handmade sandals in a trade shop. Photo: Kartinkin77/Shutterstock

Of course, you won’t fly like Hermes, but you’ll be able to run along the Greek paved paths. Pay attention to the brand Ancient Greek Sandals (you can recognize it by the wings on the logo) - it is not available in Russia yet, and ordering it on the Internet will cost much more. IN Greece can be bought shoes of this brand. Of course he is it's better to give a gift loved ones: the price per pair at Ancient Greek Sandals starts from 100€ . If your budget is limited, Can go to any local store and buy sandals are much cheaper. Among the popular Greek brands are Voi & Noi, Migato.

Leather necklaces with natural stones

Greece is sensitive to the creation of jewelry and if it offers tourists to purchase necklaces, it is certainly made from precious metals, soft leather and natural stones. As for the latter, agates, turquoise in greenish and blue shades, and bright red corals, which are mined in the mountains, are especially popular.

You can buy jewelry made of gold and silver in any Greek city, but if you want, say, necklaces with stones, you should look into Athens Protasis . Many products here are presented in one copy: the chances of feeling like the goddess of Olympus increase hundreds of times.

Handmade Greek jewelry with natural stones. Photo: berni0004/Shutterstock

The prices are also very affordable: for example, a small pendant or bracelet made of natural stones will cost 5 € (~ 375 rubles), a necklace- 10-20 € (~ 750-1500 rubles), and large beads or pearl jewelry- 20-50 € (~ 1500-3800 rubles).

Ceramics

Pottery from Greece known even to inexperienced travelers, at least from the cartoon “Hercules”. This is probably the most popular souvenir , which tourists bring from Greece . Ceramic products can be found everywhere: for example, among the most popular forms of vases are the amphora (a vessel with two handles, the volume of which can reach up to 50 liters),alabastron (pear-shaped elongated vessel with a rounded bottom), skyphos, also known as- Cup of Hercules (drinking cup on a low leg with two horizontal handles) and others.

Traditional handmade pottery. Photo: Tomas Hudolin/Shutterstock

There are many designs and patterns on Greek ceramics, all of them, as a rule, belong to one period or another: mainly, the dishes depict heroes of Greek mythology, geometric figures, scenes from different eras, ornaments and symbols (meander, spiral). Prices start from 7-10€ , but end in tens or even hundreds (some products can be made to order).

Greek ceramics will definitely appeal to those who bring home something from their travels. So that such a gift can be given friends who love to make a nest and create comfort.

Board games and combos

What gift should you bring? a friend who is passionate about games? Ancient Greek board game Tavli! It is somewhat reminiscent of our checkers, so the rules are quite simple. Sit down with any Greek in a cafe (this is where you can often find locals playing Tavli), learn the rules, and then buy the game at any souvenir shop.

Komboloi in the souvenir shop. Photo: Anastasios71/Shutterstock

Another option is komboloi. This is a special type of rosary that helps fight stress. Unlike ordinary rosaries, komboloi are used not for prayers, but for playing. Be sure: handmade kombolos will be an excellent gift.

There are several ways to throw komboloi in your hands: you can grab the thread in the middle with two fingers, you can twist half of the beads around their axis while the other half of the rosary is in the palm of your hand. You can divide the beads in half, pass the thread between the middle and index fingers, and quickly toss the halves of the rosary, changing places.

I want to return to Greece again and again, even if I have trampled all the centuries-old ruins and traveled all the serpentines. Perhaps there are not enough expensive shops with bags from famous brands and they do not feed you snails in sauce, but this is a sincere and hospitable country where everyone will become one of their own in half an hour. Well, now you know what gift to give yourself and your loved ones to add a little Greece to your home.

They say that Greece has everything, and this is not far from the truth. Holidays in this sunny country can be combined with bargains, and special attention should be paid to leather clothes and shoes, jewelry made of gold and silver, as well as numerous gastronomic souvenirs: olive oil, cheese, Greek wine, ouzo aniseed vodka, etc. Separately, it is worth mentioning Greek fur coats - they known for their quality and relatively low prices. Special tours to Greece for fur coats have been popular for decades.

Store opening hours

Shops in Greek resorts are open from morning until late evening and mostly seven days a week. In non-tourist regions, shops are open from 9:00 to 20:30 (in summer - until 21:00) with a break for “mesimeri” (Greek siesta) from 15:00 to 17:00-17:30.

Large supermarkets and shopping centers are usually open without a break from 8:00-9:00 to 21:00. There are also small convenience stores that are open late, but the selection is usually limited to a small selection of groceries and other essentials.

Sales

The sales schedule in Greece is regulated by the state and usually coincides with sales in other European countries. There are two large-scale “sales” in this country - in summer and winter. The summer discount season lasts from mid-July to the end of August, and the winter season from mid-January to early March.

In addition, since 2012, stores have been legally allowed to hold additional off-season sales in early May and early November, each lasting about 10 days.

There is an economic crisis in Greece, so, unfortunately, many stores are closing and selling off their remaining goods due to bankruptcy. In such cases, the discounts are the most generous, and the number of the court decision is always indicated on the display window.

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What to buy in Greece

• clothes,
• shoes,
• fur and leather,
• Jewelry,
• cosmetics,
• souvenirs and antiques,
• food and wine.

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Clothes and shoes

Greece does not have such an abundance of brands as neighboring Italy, but there are many local brands that are rarely sold outside the country. Most of them are affordable (for example, Alexandra and DMN Sport), and there are also a lot of good quality Italian and Turkish clothes in Greek stores. The largest selection of Greek brands is in Athens and Thessaloniki, where you can also find popular European brands: Zara, Massimo Dutti, Marks&Spencer, H&M, GAP, Esprit, etc.

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Furs and leather

For the famous Greek fur coats you need to go to Kastoria. Once upon a time, many beavers lived here, so this city became the main workshop for the production of fur products. Today there are many factories, studios and workshops that sell fur coats at factory prices, and the choice is truly impressive. Another city famous for “fur” production is Paralia Katerinis; in all other Greek cities, of course, there are also fur stores, but the prices there will be much higher.

You can go fur coat shopping either independently or as part of a special “fur coat tour”. They come with or without obligations: tours with obligations are the cheapest, but you must make a purchase for a certain amount (usually 1000-1500 EUR) or pay a penalty. No-obligation tours include factory and shopping trips, but all purchases are at your own discretion with no penalties. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

The average cost of a mink coat in Greece is from 1300 EUR (short), from 2000 EUR (knee-length) and from 2500 EUR (long). Prices are often quoted taking into account a possible discount, so mentally subtract 30-40% from them and start haggling.

Greece has an excellent selection of leather goods. The most attractive prices are in Kastoria - a high-quality leather jacket can be purchased for 50 EUR (Carlo Mosse store). Thessaloniki also has a good selection, but the prices are at least one and a half times higher. There are a lot of leather shoes everywhere, however, many buyers note that they do not have a very comfortable last, so it may take a long time to choose; prices - from 30 EUR per pair of shoes or boots. But you can buy Greek sandals with confidence: they are very comfortable, sold everywhere and cost from 15 EUR per pair. Prices for wallets start from 5 EUR, for bags - from 30 EUR.

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Cosmetics

Greece produces excellent cosmetics based on olive oil, honey, herbs and aloe. The secret of its quality is in the high concentration of natural ingredients, for example, in olive soap there is more than 90% natural oil.

It is worth paying attention to the following brands:

• Fresh Line is an affordable cosmetics from Athens, which is made according to ancient recipes from family soap factories, prices for creams and lotions start from 12 EUR, for shampoos and balms - from 8 EUR.

• Aphrodite - cosmetics based on olive oil and herbs, prices are about the same as Fresh Line cosmetics.

• Olive Way is another popular Greek cosmetic brand known for its anti-aging ranges. Cleansing foam costs from 10 EUR, anti-aging care - from 30 EUR.

• Korres - Greek luxury cosmetics, known far beyond the country's borders. Prices for shampoos start from 10 EUR, for moisturizers - from 25 EUR. In addition, the brand is famous for its excellent quality decorative cosmetics.

• Clean Skin Mythos is another good Greek mass market. The brand can be found in any supermarket; the quality is quite good at low prices.

Greek cosmetics are sold everywhere: from pharmacies to minimarkets and souvenir shops, and they are rarely counterfeited, so you can safely buy them anywhere. It is believed that the largest selection of high-quality cosmetics is on the Halkidiki peninsula - this is where the best olives in the country are grown.

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Jewelry

In Greece, high-quality jewelry is made from gold and silver. Greek style known since the 3rd century. BC e., it was then that jewelry began to be made in Hellas. It is recognizable to this day and in the jewelry world is considered that very “noble simplicity”. Gold in Greece is famous not only for its design, but also for its relatively low price: 1 gram will cost from 30 to 50 EUR, depending on processing.

Most jewelry stores in Athens. The most famous of them is Ilias Lalaounis (there is also a branch on the island of Corfu). There is a small museum attached to the store; items made of gold with precious stones are real works of art, and the prices are appropriate: sometimes they are 10-12 times higher than the cost.

Another famous jewelry store in the capital is Kessaris, which presents gold jewelry in a variety of styles, from antique to modern. On the island of Rhodes there is a Dimitriadis store that sells handmade gold jewelry and watches, and the Tempus Jewelery chain is popular in Thessaloniki and the cities of Northern Greece.

Greece also has a large selection of stylish silver. It can be bought in the stores Oro Vildiridis (a large jewelry chain that has existed since 1897), Z by Aliki Vergidou (a designer store in Thessaloniki) and others. Prices there start from 10 EUR for earrings or a ring.

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Souvenirs and antiques

It is prohibited to export historical valuables from Greece; local laws are quite strict in this regard, but you can purchase high-quality copies, which are sold in numerous souvenir shops. In antique salons and flea markets there are old souvenirs that have no historical value, and they can be taken out without hindrance.

Many antique and souvenir shops are located in the Plaka area of ​​Athens near the Acropolis, as well as in the tourist areas of other cities. In Greek monasteries and churches you can buy icons, crosses and other religious accessories, which are blessed right on the spot.

Other popular souvenirs are marble and alabaster figurines, vases and amphorae, lace, embroidery and, of course, Greek ceramics. The largest selection of ceramics is in Crete and Rhodes; local craftsmen make them by hand using ancient pottery technologies. There are both cheap souvenirs (from 5 EUR) and more expensive ones (from 40 EUR), which exactly replicate museum exhibits.

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Food and wine

Olives, olive oil, honey, feta cheese and local alcohol are traditionally brought from Greece. Olive oil is in no way inferior to Italian and Spanish, and it is better to buy it in cans - this way it is better stored. Olives in Greece are large (up to 5 cm in length) and very tasty; the best are considered to be those grown on the Chalkidiki peninsula and in the regions of Amfissa and Kalamata.

The most popular local alcoholic drinks are Greek cognac Metaxa (tastes more like brandy) and anisette vodka Ouzo, which is drunk with ice and diluted with water. Supermarkets and souvenir shops usually sell inexpensive Metaxa (from 10 EUR per bottle), but in wine shops you can find cognac aged up to 80 years.

Among Greek wines, the inexpensive Retsina (white wine with a pine flavor) is popular. The island of Rhodes is considered the most wine-rich region, where there are many small private wineries, at each of which you can try homemade wine. The cost of wine is from 5 EUR per liter.

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Stores in Greece

There are malls in Greece, but they are not as popular and interesting for shopping as shopping districts and streets. They are in every major city and are located, as a rule, in the historical center or near it:

• Athens: Kolonaki, Plaka, Glyfada and Chalandri districts, Ermou Street in the city center;
• Thessaloniki: Tsimiski Street and its parallel Ignatius and Metropolis;
• Rethymnon - Arkadiou street,
• Rhodes - Old city(budget shopping) and New town(expensive boutiques).

There you can find local and popular European clothing brands, shoe stores of Greek designers, jewelry and antique stores and numerous souvenir shops.

Shopping centers in Greece

IN major cities There are large shopping centers where you can buy clothes, shoes, cosmetics, perfumes and other goods, some of them have cinemas, food courts and other entertainment.

Athens

• Athens Heart is the capital's largest shopping center, located next to the Acropolis. There are 4 floors of clothing, shoe, electronics and furniture stores, there is a supermarket and an ice skating rink.

• Golden Hall is a large shopping mall in tourist area, more than 130 stores of popular European brands.

• The Mall Athens - more than 20 stores, including unknown Greek brands. Also known as a cultural space, exhibitions and various performances are often held here.

• Attica the department store is another large Athens department store.

• Hondos Center is a popular chain of cosmetics and perfume stores.

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Thessaloniki

• Mediterranean Cosmos - whole market town, located 10 km from Thessaloniki. In addition to shops, there is a bowling alley, a cinema, an amusement park and a concert venue, where people perform from time to time.

• City gate is a shopping complex in the city center, world and Greek brands are represented, there is a bowling alley, a food court and a cinema.

• Alpha Odeon is a large shopping and entertainment complex; in winter they decorate a Christmas tree in the courtyard.

• Fenafresh is a department store located in beautiful building in art deco style. On the 4 floors of the center there are many stores of democratic brands, shoes, jewelry, accessories, lingerie, cosmetics and electronics.

Outlets in Greece

Almost all major outlets in Greece are located near Athens.

The most famous and popular is Athen Designer Outlet, it is located in the center of the capital and occupies an entire street. There you can buy items from world brands with discounts of up to 70%.

Another large outlet - McArthurGlen - is located next to the zoo (about 30 minutes from the city center). There are more than 100 stores of clothing, shoes, accessories and other goods, there is a children's playground and food court, discounts range from 30 to 70%. You can get there by free buses that depart once an hour on weekdays from the Doukissis Plakendias metro station.

Factory Outlet - two outlets have been built under this brand in Athens, one near the airport and the other in Piraeus. The assortment is classic, discounts up to 70%, the choice is very large, usually there are almost all sizes.

Thessaloniki also has its own outlet - Mega Outlet, it is located 10 km from the city. There are more than 80 shops here, and people usually come here for the whole day: there is a food court, a children's playground with animation and other entertainment.

Markets

Every Greek city has food markets, and it is recommended to buy all the gastronomy there. The market sells fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses, fish and seafood, as well as spices, olive oil and wine. You can and even need to haggle (this is the custom here), but even without haggling, prices are lower than in supermarkets.

The largest food market in Athens - "Varvakios Agora" in the Monastiraki area. The place is very colorful, the choice is huge, the market is open from Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 18:00, but sometimes the sellers begin to close earlier.

The most famous flea market in Athens is located in this area. There you can buy the most amazing antique junk - from rare books and records to vintage jewelry and furniture. There are also very good restaurants serving Greek cuisine.

Thessaloniki has its own food market - Modiano, it is located near Aristotle Square (landmark - Turkish baths). There you can not only buy fresh food, but also have a delicious lunch. There is also a flea market here, it’s called Kopani Agora and is located in the city center. The assortment is approximately the same as in Athens, but they also sell paintings and delicacies.

Tax free

In Greece, you can get back up to 23% of money spent in local stores. The purchase amount must be at least 120 EUR (in one store), at the checkout when paying you need to fill out a special form, and then present it along with the purchase and passport when leaving the country at the airport. The packaging must be undamaged, otherwise the money may not be returned.

Best places to shop

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• Austria Vienna
• England London
• Vietnam: Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City
• Germany: Berlin, Düsseldorf and Munich
• Georgia: Tbilisi, Batumi
• Hungary: Budapest
• Greece (fur tours): Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Thessaloniki
• Israel: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
• Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Madrid (and its shops), Mallorca, Malaga, Tarragona and Salou
• Italy: Milan, Bologna, Venice, Rome, Rimini, Turin, Florence and

Each trip leaves behind memorable impressions, and a part of these memories is associated with the souvenirs and gifts brought for loved ones. Those who travel to Greek resorts for the first time are often lost, thinking about what to bring from Greece. Indeed, there are so many options: cosmetics, delicious olives or oil, textiles, jewelry, etc. And to help novice travelers, we made an article about what tourists bring from Greece. So, we present a small top of Greek souvenirs and gifts.

Butter and all sorts of goodies

On vacation, you can’t do without visiting a regular supermarket or food market. As a rule, they have a large assortment of delicious food, so the idea immediately comes to mind that you can bring natural local products as a gift from Greece. Moreover, they have excellent taste, and the choice in this category is almost limitless.

So, let's see what you can buy from Greek products in local stores and markets.

The fruits of the olive tree are the most popular greek souvenirs. Of course, we sell olive oil and green/black olives, but the original Greek product is unique.

In Greece, there are more than two dozen varieties of table olives, of which Kalamon, Chalkidiki and Konservolia are considered the most popular. You can buy them at any store, but it is best to buy them in bulk at local markets. The price per kg of product will be 4-5 €, while a store-bought jar of olives costs 2.5 €.

The production of Greek olive oil also differs in class, o beneficial properties which is talked about so much. The following varieties are available for sale:

1. Extra Virgin – first cold-pressed oil with the lowest acidity (0.8%), which indicates the highest quality of the product. Price per liter from 8 to 11 €.
2. Fine Virgin – a second cold-pressed product with an acidity level of 1.5%. Classified as 1st grade. Price per liter 4-5 €.
3. Pour (Refined ) – first cold pressed oil diluted with hot refined oil. Price 1 liter of product from 3€.
4. Pomace – oil prepared by hot method from olive pits. Cost 1 liter from 2€.

Accordingly, the tastier and richer the product, the more difficult its production and the higher the price.

Many people bring Greek cheeses from Athens, Thessaloniki or island cities. The famous Feta, with its delicate salty and creamy taste, will be a truly rare gift. After all, this cheese is produced only in Greece, and in Russia it is very difficult to get a similar product.

It is also worth noting the hard cheese varieties Kefalotiri and Graviera, popular in Greece. The first has an islandy aftertaste, while the second tastes a little like sweet fruit.

Read also: How to celebrate New Year in Greece - traditions, gifts and dishes for the festive table

Sweets and honey

Without a doubt, friends and family will be delighted with the honey brought from Greece as a gift. The country is among the leaders in terms of the number of hives, and local producers try to bring a bit of originality to their honey. So, in Greece you can easily find pine, spruce, thyme, orange and hundreds of other varieties of honey.

You can buy this delicacy in stores, markets and even in monasteries, because... many of them own their own apiary. The price for 1 liter of honey varies from 7 to 10 €.

Local sweets are also a special topic of conversation. Baklava, kozinaki, Turkish delight, chocolate candies “shokolatakya” - all this is available in abundance in the markets and shops of Athens, Crete, Rhodes and other regions. The average price per kg of sweets is 10 €.

For cooks and gourmets, mixtures of dry herbs or Greek sauces will be a pleasant gift. For a bag of spices they usually ask for 2-3 €, but large sets of different herbs are also sold, the cost of which reaches 10 €.

Greek alcoholic drinks

Very often, among what can be purchased in Greece, the national alcohol is noted. Basically, these are drinks such as Greek Ouzo, Mastic, Metaxa, Malvasia and other wines or strong alcohol.

Greek vodka

Greek Raki and Ouzo are considered analogues of Russian vodka. Raki is grape vodka with a strength of 40-50 degrees. The taste is vaguely reminiscent of moonshine, so not everyone will appreciate such a souvenir. But Ouzo is a more standard option. Although its strength also reaches 40-50 degrees, in Greece it is used as an aperitif. A shot of the drink warms up the body and improves digestion.

The price per liter of strong Greek alcohol will be 10-15 €. But often local supermarkets sell vodka in souvenir bottles of 200 or 500 ml, or even as a gift set with shot glasses. Such a gift will cost 2-5 euros.

Among cognac products in Greece, Metaxa is the undisputed leader. In fact, it’s not even really cognac, but brandy with fruity notes, but these are minor nuances. Metaxa is classified by year of aging, so the bottle can be easily identified by the number of stars.

• 3 stars – three-year aging, strength 38%, price* 13 €;
• 5 stars – 5 years of aging, strength 38-40%, price 16 €;
• 7 stars - seven years old, 40% strength and 25 € per bottle.
• 12 stars – 12 years of aging, 40% strength, price 40€.

The Metaxa AEN drink is considered especially tasty - it is an 80-year-old brandy with a unique flavor bouquet. You can find this elite cognac only in specialized shops, and the cost of a bottle reaches 1,500 €.

Greek wines

Since ancient times, the Hellenes were known as gifted winemakers, so if strong alcohol is not for you, then a bottle of light wine will always come in handy around the house. Of the Greek wines, Malvasia is especially distinguished. This is a sweet grape wine made from selected berries using multi-stage preparation technology. Officially considered the sweetest of the Madera varieties.

Greece is a fabulous sunny country that has a rich history and is a unique center of all cultures. Ancient excavations, warm beaches and olive groves attract tourists from all over the world. Greece is imbued with a unique culture, a piece of which everyone who has managed to visit here will want to take with them. What interesting things can you bring from Greece?

Alcohol

Guilt

Wine is produced in almost every region of Greece. The country's oldest wine is Retsina, which has a bitter, resinous taste and a strong odor. One of the best wines is “Kechri” or Pine Tear, which is made in Thessaloniki. The traditional drink is Cahors from the holy Mount Athos.

Metaxa

Metaxa is a mixture of grape wine and grape brandy. In assortment local stores There are drinks with different aging periods and, as a result, prices. It is worth considering that the Greeks themselves use the three-star drink exclusively for culinary purposes, and drink it with aging for at least 5 years.

Cancers

Raki - Greek grape vodka. It tastes tart and strong, so it is usually served in small glasses. It is recommended to try rakomelo - it is the same raki, but infused with honey with the addition of cloves and cinnamon. It is produced and sold mainly in Crete. In winter, rakomelo is drunk warmed up as a cure for colds, and in summer as a regular alcoholic drink.

Ouzo

Greece has long been famous for the production of ouzo aniseed vodka. Residents of Hellas consider the drink national and drink it in pure form or in combination with orange or tomato juice. In addition to excellent taste, ouzo also has beneficial properties, such as improving sleep and digestion. The drink is produced in all regions of the country.

Kumquat

Greece is famous for its Kumquat liqueur. It is prepared on the basis of the citrus fruit of the same name, which looks like an orange and tastes like a tangerine. That's why you can usually find these little fruits in liquor bottles. On the island of Corfu, this liqueur is sold in beautiful bottles in the form of a map of the island or in the shape of statues of Greek gods.

Antique souvenirs

Ceramics

It is impossible to return from Greece and not bring with you a ceramic souvenir depicting the heroes of Hellas or the sights of Greece, because the ceramics here are of incredible beauty and excellent quality. A good souvenir would be sets, vases, jugs and amphorae made with a special ornament - golden Greek patterns on a black background. The most popular are ceramics from the island of Crete and pottery from Santorini and Halkidiki. The largest market for ceramic products is in Athens.

Figurines

In any souvenir shop you can buy figurines of ancient Greek gods, figurines of Olympians and ancient buildings, as well as busts of Socrates, Plato, and Pythagoras. The best selection of figurines is in Plaka.

Seafood

Shells and jewelry made from them are a cute and inexpensive souvenir that can be found in every souvenir shop. Sea sponges are very popular among tourists. This is a small and useful gift. They are soft and hard, large and small. The widest selection of sponges can be found in Rhodes and Kalymnos.

Icons

In souvenir shops and monasteries in Greece you can buy all kinds of icons - carved, in the form of a small book and inlaid with semi-precious stones. The most valuable gift will be an icon brought from the holy Mount Athos.

Paintings

Very often, tourists bring back from vacation paintings depicting Greek landmarks, painted in watercolors and oils by local artists. Here you can purchase ordinary paintings, or you can order exclusive paintings. The price for them depends on the size, execution technique and the presence of a frame.

Fur

Greece presents a huge range of fur products. From such a variety, you can choose a model that suits your taste and budget. That is why tour operators often organize special three-day “fur coat” tours to Greece. It is better to go for such a purchase to Kastoria, where the most popular showrooms of leading fur factories are located: Elegant Furs, Avanti, Afrodita Furs, Estelle.

Blankets, rugs, carpets

Blankets, rugs and carpets will be practical and pleasant souvenirs from Greece. It is better to buy them in Crete, Rhodes, Athens and Delphi. Preference should be given to products made of wool and silk. Handmade carpets are more valuable and the older it is, the higher its price. Prices for such products depend on the complexity of the design and the materials used.

Olives and olive oil

Greek olives are very tasty, large and contain many useful substances. They are sold here everywhere in tins and by weight. Another pride of Greece is olive oil. It is presented in a wide range in supermarkets and family shops.

Olive soap

Olive soap is a good and useful souvenir from Greece. Almost all Greek soap is handmade from olive oil with the addition of lavender, honey, rose or orange oil. Most often, such soap is sold in pieces by weight. It lathers well, has a pleasant aroma and makes the skin soft and velvety.

Sweets

Honey

Each region of Greece produces its own original honey, which beekeepers are rightfully proud of. Chalkidiki is considered the birthplace of the most delicious honey in Greece. Here it is sold pure or with hazelnuts, pine nuts and walnuts.

Jams and preserves

Oranges, quinces, figs, cherries, peaches, kumquats, and sometimes pistachios are often used to make preserves and preserves in Greece.

Kozinaki

The traditional sweetness of kozinaki is slabs of pistachios, sesame seeds, peanuts or almonds in sugar or honey syrup. They resemble kozinaki, but differ in the recipe. This is a very tasty and healthy treat - a vitamin and energy bomb.

Baklava

This is a traditional Greek pie made from puff pastry with chopped nuts and cinnamon, soaked in honey. A distinctive feature of Greek baklava is 33 layers of dough, symbolizing the age of Christ.

Chees Feta"

A real Greek salad can only be prepared using Greek Feta cheese. As a rule, this cheese is made from sheep and goat milk, it is snow-white in appearance, has a high fat content (30-60%) and a salty taste. Feta is sold in brine in plastic, metal and vacuum packaging.

Jewelry and costume jewelry

The country is famous for its jewelry made of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls. The largest assortment is presented in the stores of the Kessaris and Ilias Lalaounis jewelry houses in Athens, Santorini, Delphi, Mykonos and Ioannina. Jewelry made in the Byzantine style is very popular.

Costume jewelry will be an inexpensive and original gift, which in Greece is best bought in souvenir shops. Very beautiful necklaces, brooches and bracelets are made here from olive wood, shells, marble, ceramics, gems and metals.

Cannot be exported

• antiquities, including stones from archaeological sites and objects found on the seabed;
• drugs, drug-containing drugs and medicines;
• weapons, explosives and toxic substances;
• plants, flowers, wild animals and birds and endangered species of flora and fauna.

You must keep receipts for all purchased items.

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Greece has it all. Maybe that’s why everyone wonders what to bring from Greece as a gift or for themselves. So that it is practical or useful. Let's figure it out together. So, what to buy in Greece, what souvenirs and useful, practical gifts you can bring.

Interesting?

What to bring from Greece as a gift

Every resort town is full of souvenir shops that are as similar to each other as two peas in a pod. Their main assortment is magnets, gift sets of spices, ceramic figurines, plates, vases, soap and postcards. The range is worth a look, but I don't think it's worth spending a lot of money there. What then should you pay attention to?

Olives

Olives in Greece are very tasty, not at all similar to those sold here, either in taste or size.

We always bring olive oil and olives from Greece. Olives are best purchased in supermarkets. There is always a large selection of different types, including by weight. For transportation and long-term storage, it is most convenient to buy olives in vacuum packaging. The Greeks themselves usually buy in supermarkets and therefore olives, and indeed all other products, are much cheaper.

Olive oil

It would seem that everyone knows that bringing olive oil from Greece as a gift is trivial. However, you should not forget about its enormous beneficial properties, and if you use it regularly (with salads or for frying), it runs out quite quickly, so it would not be a bad idea to bring a large package of oil from a regular supermarket (chain stores are cheaper and have a large selection).

In addition to the huge selection in supermarkets, you can also buy olive oil in villages from locals you meet on the road, usually it’s even cheaper - you can stumble upon very tasty specimens (you can always try it for free by dripping a little on bread).

In Corfu, we once went to a supermarket and just hovered at the counter with butter, there were 15-20 types of it, and we couldn’t choose. But a Greek (local buyer) came to our aid and advised us which oil was tasty and aromatic; usually it is more convenient to buy 1-2 liter plastic bottles in stores. I don’t recommend taking it in iron cans, because when luggage falls at the airport, the iron can will be deformed and the oil will be under pressure (it may leak). After impact, plastic containers will straighten out and take their original form.

Honey

It seems to me that honey is collected everywhere in Greece. And on each island and on the mainland it is special. And if you are wondering what to bring from Greece for yourself or as a gift, be sure to bring a jar or another of honey. It's better to buy it from local residents. And the further the village is from tourist places, the cheaper and tastier it is. There are also apiaries in many monasteries and you can also buy delicious honey there.

On the island of Kos we bought local thyme honey (very tasty), honey candies and wax candles that simply smell amazing of honey.

Alcohol

Retsina- This is a white resin wine. Probably the oldest in Greece, and you are unlikely to try this anywhere else. It is inexpensive, there are many types of it and it is so light and so pleasantly refreshing in the heat. It's best to drink chilled.

Many people buy Metaxa in Greece. Metaxa- local brandy. In principle, Metaxa is also sold here, but there in supermarkets you can buy it cheaper.

Recently, Metaxa has become boring and the price tag has been raised, but we managed to find a very suitable drink, also brandy, but more interesting in taste with notes of vanilla and chocolate, brandy called Victor produced in the village of Karlovasi on the island of Samos. It can also be found in stores on the island of Crete. For alcohol lovers, this is a good drink from what you can bring from Greece.

Rakomelo- a drink from Raki and honey (Rakia is a local grape moonshine, not to be confused with Raki from Turkey, since the same drink is called in Greece Ouzo- anisette vodka). It makes a very tasty liqueur. It is especially popular in Crete.

Well, there are also a lot of vineyards in Greece. So, each region has many local wines. Can be purchased as Home wine in plastic containers, and factory-made, packed in classic bottles.

In Corfu business card is kumquat liqueur.

Kumquat is a rare citrus growing in Corfu. We really didn’t like the taste of it at all, so I advise you to try it before buying it for home.

Products

In Kos and Nisyros you can buy almond milk - sumadu, and cinnamon syrup - canelada(convenient to use in cooking). And also cheese in wine and tomato jam.

In large supermarkets such as AB Vassilopoulos you can find many interesting products at a reasonable price, cheaper than in regular stores. There are also a lot of tasty and inexpensive “sanctions”: blue cheeses, Parmesan and other jamons.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics: creams, tonics, shampoos, balms, shower gels are best purchased in pharmacies. I personally like companies correspondence And apivita. Not the cheapest cosmetics, but good. For example, apivita shampoo costs 10 euros. “Korres” can often be found on sale: two shampoos for the price of one - 8 euros. Shower gel 2 pcs - 5 euros, moisturizing cream with aloe after sun - 13 euros. This cosmetics is available in every pharmacy. Korres is also available in duty free, but naturally more expensive. Natural cosmetics are exactly what you should buy in Greece.

Olive soap is sold on every corner. But you can find shops where olive soap and handmade cosmetics are produced, for example, in the village Spili in Crete you will find such a shop.

Natural sponges

Sponges can be found in a large variety on Kalymnos (an island near Kos). The main profession here is sponge catcher. There is even a sponge museum on the island. An average sponge can be bought for 5 euros, the choice is huge. When souvenirs and standard purchases are not exciting and you are thinking about something practical that you can bring back from Greece, natural sea sponge will be a great choice.

By the way, in Kalymnos it is worth buying both thyme honey and thyme itself. It grows here in huge quantities.

Olive wood dishes

It looks beautiful, lasts a long time, the quality is excellent, but the prices are steep. But going to such shops is like going to a museum.

Handmade ceramic tableware

There are a lot of beautiful ornaments. My eyes just widen. I want to buy everything at once. And ceramics are more affordable in price than olive products.

And of course, many are in a hurry to buy a fur coat in Greece. But we didn't do that.

So, the main advice is to leave more space in your suitcases for gifts and souvenirs from Greece.

Thank you for your attention. I hope we helped you decide what to bring from Greece.